Psalms 33:6

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.

Complete Jewish Bible:

By the word of ADONAI the heavens were made, and their whole host by a breath from his mouth.

Berean Standard Bible:

By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and all the stars by the breath of His mouth.

American Standard Version:

By the word of Jehovah were the heavens made, And all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

By the word{H1697} of the LORD{H3068} were the heavens{H8064} made{H6213}; and all the host{H6635} of them by the breath{H7307} of his mouth{H6310}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Hebrews 11:3

  • Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

2 Peter 3:5

  • For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:

John 1:1

  • ¶ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:3

  • All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Job 33:4

  • The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.

Psalms 33:9

  • For he spake, and it was [done]; he commanded, and it stood fast.

Genesis 2:1

  • ¶ Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.

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Commentary for Psalms 33:6

Psalm 33:6, "By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth," is a verse that celebrates the power and majesty of God as the Creator of the universe. This verse is part of a larger hymn of praise found in Psalm 33, which is attributed to King David, though the exact authorship is not certain. The historical context of the Psalms spans many centuries, with various authors contributing to the collection, reflecting the religious life and devotion of ancient Israel.

The themes in Psalm 33:6 are deeply rooted in the theology of creation found throughout the Hebrew Bible. It echoes the creation narrative in Genesis 1, where God speaks the cosmos into existence. The verse emphasizes the divine fiat—God's word is an active, creative force that brings the heavens and their vast array of stars into being. The phrase "the breath of his mouth" further personifies God, suggesting that creation is as effortless and natural as breathing is for a living being. This imagery underscores the omnipotence and sovereignty of God over all creation.

In the broader context of the ancient Near East, this verse would have stood in contrast to other creation myths of the time, which often involved struggles between gods and chaos. In contrast, the biblical account presents a monotheistic view where a single, all-powerful God creates the world through a simple act of will, expressed through speech. This perspective on creation serves to exalt the God of Israel as unique and supreme among all divine beings worshiped by neighboring cultures.

Psalm 33:6, therefore, encapsulates the biblical theme of creation ex nihilo (out of nothing), the efficacy of God's word, and the personal, relational nature of the divine. It invites believers to reflect on the awesomeness of God's power and the orderliness and intentionality of the created world, which serves as a testament to God's glory and faithfulness.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

  1. Strong's Number: H1697
    There are 1290 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: דָּבָר
    Transliteration: dâbâr
    Pronunciation: daw-baw'
    Description: from דָבַר; a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause; act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work.
  2. Strong's Number: H3068
    There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יְהֹוָה
    Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
    Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
    Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.
  3. Strong's Number: H8064
    There are 395 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שָׁמַיִם
    Transliteration: shâmayim
    Pronunciation: shaw-mah'-yim
    Description: dual of an unused singular שָׁמֶה; from an unused root meaning to be lofty; the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies revolve); air, [idiom] astrologer, heaven(-s).
  4. Strong's Number: H6213
    There are 2286 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עָשָׂה
    Transliteration: ʻâsâh
    Pronunciation: aw-saw'
    Description: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use.
  5. Strong's Number: H6635
    There are 463 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: צָבָא
    Transliteration: tsâbâʼ
    Pronunciation: tsaw-baw'
    Description: or (feminine) צְבָאָה; from צָבָא; a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (specifically, hardship, worship); appointed time, ([phrase]) army, ([phrase]) battle, company, host, service, soldiers, waiting upon, war(-fare).
  6. Strong's Number: H7307
    There are 348 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: רוּחַ
    Transliteration: rûwach
    Pronunciation: roo'-akh
    Description: from רוּחַ; wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by resemblance spirit, but only of a rational being (including its expression and functions); air, anger, blast, breath, [idiom] cool, courage, mind, [idiom] quarter, [idiom] side, spirit(-ual), tempest, [idiom] vain, (whirl-) wind(-y).
  7. Strong's Number: H6310
    There are 460 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: פֶּה
    Transliteration: peh
    Pronunciation: peh
    Description: from פָּאָה; the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition) according to; accord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment, assent, collar, command(-ment), [idiom] eat, edge, end, entry, [phrase] file, hole, [idiom] in, mind, mouth, part, portion, [idiom] (should) say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, tenor, [idiom] to, [phrase] two-edged, wish, word.